Adriano Espaillat: “I would like to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for organizing this Special Order Hour this…”

“I would like to thank my colleague, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for organizing this Special Order Hour this evening. The events of January 6 are still burning in the memories of all of us, as well as millions and millions of Americans across the Nation; although some people would like to deny that it never happened, or sweep it under the rug, it continues to burn in everybody. The images are so aggressive that they still burn in the memories of millions upon millions of Americans. I started that day as I start every day. I came to my office at 8:30 in the morning. I couldn't get through Independence Avenue because it was shut down, so I came through the back of my office building, and I noticed that I was walking on the sidewalk with some of the protesters, unimpeded. I felt as though security was very lax. No one stopped them. They were walking right next to me. They were around here as early as 8:30 in the morning. I went to my office, and as I proceeded at one point to leave my office to come down to the floor, I was informed that the Capitol had been breached. So we stayed in our office. Two police officers came to the office trying to escort us out and trying to take me to a site, a room in another office building where other Members were, to protect us. I decided to stay in my office with my team, and we locked ourselves in there. I could see from my window some of the protesters.…”